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3.14.2019. Vol. 101. No. 4
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page 3 Learn about the proposals to make MHS a “Green School” in the News Section
page 8 Lillie Spencer takes a stand against catcalling in the Opinions Section
page 12 Check out the new MHS logo and hear about the reasons for the redesign in the Features section
page 15 Tommy Douglass makes March Madness predictions in the Sports Section
page 18 Check out some incredible new Nike sneakers in the Fashion Section
National Awards of The Bruin
page 6 Editor Emma Siepmann discusses the need for more education on affirmative consent in the Opinions Section
pages 10-11 Look back at Unity Week through photos of the memorable experience in the Features Section
page 14 See the future of the Grizzlies Softball team unfold in the Sports Section
page 16 Tag along as the Burrito Boys find the best one in town in the Out & About Section
page 19 Micah Porter brings back the much-loved What’s Bruin Section with tips on hipster-spotting and handouts of cake
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editorial board reporters and photographers EMMA SIEPMANN Editor TOMMY DOUGLASS Managing Editor ISABELLE HOOVER News Editor LILLIE SPENCER Opinions Editor MOLLY BEYER Features Editor JESS JONES Features Editor BRADY SHIELDS Sports Editor MACKENZIE MARSHALL Out and About Editor MICAH PORTER What’s Bruin Editor ANNA DOWNS Fashion Editor SAM BEYER Photo Editor KATHY BEYER Adviser
DAYS UNTIL SUMMER... Seniors: Rest of Us:
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CAROLINA ELIAS JUAREZ SAM HELLER SAM BEYER BREDIN BLANCHARD ANNA DOWNS ZANE FODGE LUIS CORTES SAMANTHA FLORESRAMIREZ LILLY MCCARTY HAYDEN ABELN
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DO YOU HAVE A STORY TO SHARE? CONTACT NEWS EDITOR ISABELLE HOOVER
news
Go Green or Go Home
From Place to Place Moving teacher explains what is causing the sudden relocation in students BY BREDIN BLANCHARD writer tine Walker said, “I feel like people are moving here to McMinnville. Housing prices are going up and so are other costs, so I would guess that is because demand is going up and more people are moving here.” Walker said, “One of my students moved away since her father was in the military… When I asked that young lady if she wanted to move or if the move was positive for her, she said no and that she didn’t want to leave her friends here. I would say for that reason, MHS made a good impression on her… The friendships and relationships she built here were the reason she didn’t want to leave and it’s one of the many reasons I love working here.” This will be Manjeot’s second year at McMinnville High school, his theory of why other students might move away is because of, “Family or school.” Walker said as well “Moving also could be happening due to family issues.” Geddes said, “I looked at data from the past two years and... students typically move MACKENZIE MARSHALL because of parental reasons, many students move because parents have jobs that take them other places. Typically students don’t have a lot of control over movement.” Geddes also added, “a lot of them will move within a 30 mile radius and we don’t always know and they don’t always say why they’re moving. Typically we assume it’s to follow a job or it’s because of housing.” Walker said, “I would guess that some reasons may be that housing is becoming expensive or certain jobs are become difficult to apply for. Some parents are willing but unfortunately do not have the prerequisites to apply for the jobs even though they would love to do them and are excited to learn them.”
BY LILLIE SPENCER opinions editor The Green School committee is a program committed to bringing environmental awareness and sustainability to schools in Oregon. Qualified schools can collaborate and work to make recycling more accessible, spread awareness through signs, and reduce the general waste output coming from the school. This year, students under the leadership of Laura Syring have pushed to bring all of these aspects to McMinnville High School, and officially go green. The club has worked hard to meet green school requirements, and recently sent in an application to obtain an Oregon Green Schools/Eco Schools certification. Syring shares what involvement would look like, stating, “Students who are involved will be organized into sub SAM BEYER
It seems that every day there are new kids arriving or someone is moving away. What for? Is it simply just a parent’s new job? Or maybe something is driving them away. An interview with MHS student Gabriel Manjeot could help to answer these questions. Manjeot said, “I am moving to Astoria for a fresh start and a better path in life.” Manjeot is very excited to move to his new school and feels it’s a decision that will change his life for the better. Manjeot said, “I didn’t have any academic success here, I gave up and that’s why I’m moving.” What he felt was a problem at this school was how they would ask a student if they needed help, “A way to improve McMinnville High School is having better way of approaching a student to help.” Although Manjeot feels that he’d given up and there can be adjustments made, it has had an impact on him, “MHS has made an impact on me because of a couple of teachers that have reached out to me to make sure I’m ok.” Manjeot admitted he appreciated that some of his teachers checked up on him and it changed his look on this school. Vice principal Darlene Geddes has the data of how many students actually move away, “The data for our school we only have about 80 students that move from McMinnville High School a year, about half of those are out of state moves…” This means that though it may feel that lots of students are moving away, the amount of students leaving are decreasing. German instructor Chris-
Mac High students and staff gather to stress the importance of recycling
committees, and will have the opportunity to attend board meetings and practice their communication skills.” Syring goes on to explain that because this club is extremely relevant to the current world, it has a strong student voice behind it. It is based around youths stepping up and taking the initiative for change, and having adults respond to those passions and interests. Why is becoming a greener, more eco-friendly school important? Statistics from National Geographic show that, “The top four hottest years have been among the last four, 2015-2016, driven by increased emissions of heat trapping carbon dioxide- which have also reached record levels.” Such drastic realities have lead Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, to state, “The science is sobering- the global temperature in 2012 was among the hottest since records began in 1880. Make no mistake: without concerted action, the very future of our planet is in peril.” Through the Green School club, McMinnville High School and its students have an opportunity to become a part of that action. The Green School Guide Book reads, “Today’s children are our future leaders-sustainable thought and action are essential to their futures. The Oregon Green School Program teaches kids about sustainability concepts, shows them how to practice them, engages them in local sustainability projects, and ensures that our schools operate sustainably.” The Bruin March 14, 2019 mhsbruin.com 3
COVER STORY
RESPECTING BOUNDARIES BY EMMA SIEPMANN editor SAM BEYER
No means no. Yes means yes. These simple phrases are used frequently from day to day, but they reach their peak meaning when looked at as components of affirmative consent. This concept is aimed at making sure that people are honoring boundaries and both giving and receiving permission always, especially in romantic and sexual encounters. The theory of affirmative consent is that before proceeding in a situation that could impact personal boundaries, a verbal “yes” is required to ensure that everyone involved is comfortable and safe. Giving and getting consent is a critical part of relationships and sexual encounters, making sure that both parties are in agreement and feel that their limits are being respected. Contrary to popular belief, conversations of consent do not only apply to those in a relationship. Due to the non-discriminatory nature of sexual assault, understanding consent is a part of life for all, regardless of gender, age, socioeconomic status, and relationship status, as explained by Megan Foster of the Oregon Attorney General Sexual Assault Task Force. She states that, “[Consent] is a necessary skill and function of safe and healthy lives for all people. As the dynamics of violence, those root causes, are enacted in lots of different ways - restricting choice, erasing voice, limiting agency and autonomy, etc., it may be easier to see how consent plays a vital role in preventing many different forms of violence, not just sexual violence. When we respect and honor the choices, voices, agency, and autonomy of each person, we’re
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SAM BEYER
promoting healthier and safer communities for all.” According to the Oregon Department of Justice, sexual assault is defined as “any type of sexual encounter without a person’s consent.” Foster agrees with this definition, adding that “When consent is not present, it is sexual violence. If all parties involved have not consented to sex, it is sexual violence.” This definition of sexual assault is widely accepted, but the complexity of the issue comes when consent is brought into the conversation. Defining consent is inherently more complicated than defining sexual assault, and as a result, the accepted meanings vary between people. Discussions of consent are additionally convoluted by the important distinction between consent and affirmative consent, a difference which is often overlooked. Eli Cox, a member of the Prevention Education team at Juliette’s House, shared his definition of affirmative consent. “Any agreed upon interaction between people requires an enthusiastic, freely given, spoken yes that can be reversed at any time.” It is important to prioritize using affirmative consent, as it ensures that both parties have actively agreed and
consented. Cox included an acronym curated by Planned Parenthood to make the principles of affirmative consent easier to remember, “F.R.I.E.S. stands for freely given, reversible, informed, enthusiastic, and specific. All of those points must be met in order for consent to be valid.” When these conditions are met, affirmative consent has been given and the risk of an action being construed as sexual violence is minimized. Sexual assault is not a minor issue in Yamhill County, nor is it a problem that can be overlooked in the rest of the state. The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey in 2012 found that “sexual violence is a problem throughout the world and throughout the United States, and Oregon is no exception. In fact, Oregonians experience some of the highest rates of sexual violence in the country. Almost half of all women (47%), and one out of every six men (16%), in Oregon will experience some form of sexual violence in their lifetime; and one out of every four women (26%) in Oregon will experience rape.” These shocking statistics truly highlight the severity of this problem in Oregon. Consent is an important tool in helping resolve the issue of sexual violence in Oregon and nationwide, as long as people understand the basic principle and are aware that consent has somewhat different implications in different situations. Foster included that “It’s ok if consent looks different in each setting, each relationship. What matters is that each of us, of all ages, are learning how to navigate consent, so that we aren’t reinforcing and/or perpetrating violence.”
ANNA DOWNS
National Honor Society’s Volunteering Members of NHS talk about an upcoming fundraiser and encourage involvement to help give back to the community BY CAROLINA JUAREZ writer
The National Honor Society is a club where club members complete service projects that consists of about fifty or more members ranging from secretaries to the president of the club, Abbi Rockwell. Service projects benefit the community, both environmentally and socially. Volunteer work plays a big part in being a part of the club as well a qualifying GPA of 3.5 or above. “NHS is entirely about serving, whether that’s for the people in our school or in our community, we are there to offer any support we can,” said Emily Cinnamon, senior. The National Honor Society is hosting a fundraiser as of right now to help students from Wascher Elementary in Lafayette. The current fundraiser was brought to the NHS’s attention by YCAP, according to Abbi Rockwell. Rockwell said, “Wascher Elementary has a partnership with YCAP that gave the students of Wascher food to take home with them during the
NHS President Abbi Rockwell weekends for students who didn’t have enough money to buy food for the weekend and it ran out.” The fundraiser has to do with gaining peanut butter, rice, and books for the students who are in need, specifically the students at Wascher elementary. Although, it is specifically for Wascher, they do hope to have the ability to help other schools out. Since the amount and brand of rice and peanut butter is so specific, NHS has asked for money donations to help buy what they need. “They are both items that keep a long time and can be very filling,” said Scout Whitaker. Due to books being easier to acquire, Rockwell said, “We’re not asking for money for books, we’re asking for used books, new books, children’s books, teen books, middle school age books, any books that people don’t want.” She also mentioned bins being set up around the
school as a spot for books to be donated. Any books that are in good condition and not being used are perfect for donations and are greatly accepted and appreciated by NHS. Cinnamon said, “We don’t have a specific set goal yet, we just want to raise as much as we can for these families as anything helps.” “We’re always trying to help at the Restore, Habitat for Humanity, we just kind of move stuff around, help out wherever is needed,” said Rockwell, “so it’s just really making sure we’re helping the community and getting back to them, they’ve done so much for us.” For people who are interested in joining the NHS some word of advice is by Cinnamon, “If you’re looking to join NHS, you’ve got to start as soon as possible. Keep your grades up, but more importantly, start getting involved.”
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DO YOU HAVE A STORY TO SHARE? CONTACT OPINIONS EDITOR LILLIE SPENCER
opinions
A Call for Consent Emma Siepmann suggests a need for increased education on consent to keep people safer now and as they leave high school for the real world BY EMMA SIEPMANN editor Throughout elementary school, students are repeatedly taught that another child saying “No, I don’t want a hug,” is a wish that must be respected. Listening to one another and honoring boundaries is a skill that is instilled in children from a very young age and reinforced over the course of elementary school until kids respect each other’s personal space. The walls of college residence halls are often plastered in signs shouting “No means no and so does silence,” educating students about the basics of affirmative consent. Once students reach college, they seem to have abandoned the most basic rule drilled into them as children, leading to instances of sexual harassment, assault, and rape because consent was not given. Why is respecting the wishes of others still an issue that needs to be addressed in young adults who are preparing to enter the real world? One problem lies in the seven year gap between elementary school and university. There is often an assumption made that students have mastered basic social skills by the age of eleven, although this is clearly not the case. Boys steal girls’ binders as they walk down the hallway, and girls grab each other’s phones to snap selfies and post them on social media. The lack of consequences for such behaviors in middle school sets a precedent that overrides the playground rules. If five year olds can learn to respect their peers, why are middle and high schoolers being let off the hook? As students leave elementary school, their disregard for the belongings and personal space of others is suddenly ignored, leading to a group of eleven to 18-year-olds who lack the most basic respect for the boundaries of others. When these students leave high school, they have trouble with affirmative consent because they have learned through experience that there are no consequences for ignoring the wishes of others. This means going back and relearning the principle of consent as it was taught in kindergarten. Middle school is a critical period developmentally, as puberty hits and kids begin to transition into young adults. Interest in romance begins to enter the picture; 13 year olds run wild with no idea how to control their emotions or hormones. This is when continued education about consent is essential. To learn that 6
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respecting one’s peers is a matter not only of belongings, but physical and emotional boundaries as well, especially at the middle school level, is invaluable. However, to make this point clear and applicable, adults must apply the principle of respecting wishes consistently. This means cracking down on students stealing each other’s phones, helping students understand that respecting the wishes of others applies all the time, not just in romantic interactions. It must be
a universally applicable rule in order for students to fully absorb and accept the principle. Discussing sex, sexual assault, and rape can be uncomfortable for educators and students alike. However, if the topic of giving consent is introduced in kindergarten, through simple lessons such as learning to respect personal space, and continued through middle and high school, translating these skills into relationships will be simple. Students will be comfortable with waiting for a verbal “yes”, as it will have been taught, reinforced, and practiced since age five. Applying consent to sexual encounters will come naturally, making sense to students since they use affirmative consent every day in other interactions. If we are able to introduce the basics of consent to elementary school students, build off of that understanding in middle school, and connect it to sex and
relationships in high school, young adults entering college or the workforce will no longer be faced with the surprise of remembering a concept that they haven’t heard about since the fifth grade. If we can ingrain this concept in every student prior to high school graduation, the prevalence of sexual assault on college campuses will go down and students will be safer. One of the critical steps to fixing any problem is education. If people are unaware of an issue, it’s impossible to improve the situation and prevent it from persisting in generations to follow. This applies to consent just as much as it does to any other problem; we have to teach the next generation to wait for a verbal “yes” before giving a hug, grabbing someone’s phone, or moving forward with a sexual encounter. Consent will no longer be an awkward conversation topic once it is treated as a basic social principle and expectation from day one of school. This expectation, consistently reinforced through the public school system, will finally help students be prepared to become respectful, understanding, and considerate adults. We are doing young people across the nation a disservice by ignoring the topic of consent. Public schools across the nation, including McMinnville High School, need to be doing more to help prepare students for the world after high school. We need more concrete and reliable education on consent as a component of health classes. We need to find a way to educate every single student, regardless of whether they take health classes through MHS. Students and staff must work together to pass on the message of affirmative consent, even if the solution is as simple as posters and announcements and daily reminders to our student body that yes means yes and no means no. These simple lessons make all the difference once students leave Mac High and it is our duty as a school to ensure that they are prepared to go out into the world. Yes, the conversations might be uncomfortable at first. Yes, it may seem silly to get after middle schoolers for messing around with each other’s stuff. Yes, it might be all of these and more. But at the end of the day, it’s important.
Quit the Catcalling Oregon’s Dark Past Lillie Spencer takes a stand, encouraging people to think about the repercussions of their actions
Brady Shields investigates Oregon’s racist history and its effects on today’s culture BY BRADY SHIELDS news editor
BY LILLIE SPENCER opinions editor For different people and situations, catcalling can mean different things. It can be as simple as a lighthearted joke between friends, or it could progress to a frightening experience between strangers, leaving a person feeling unsafe and devalued. No matter the situation, it is important that students/teens stop to think about the impact their words can have on others, hopefully before they speak. Some might wonder if catcalling is even prevalent among MHS students; why would a boy choose to catcall a girl, and how does it make her feel? In the end, is there really any harm in the action? To answer these questions, anonymous students gave their thoughts. While the majority of students interviewed said they had no experience with catcalling outside of a joke, a couple girls were willing to share how it made them feel. “I have been catcalled but I can’t remember one specific time. It just made me feel weird--I didn’t like it. It’s an uncomfortable feeling. Especially if it’s someone you don’t know or don’t feel comfortable talking to anyways, that just makes it worse. I didn’t like knowing that this guy had been looking at my body in that way.” Boys appeared to be made uncomfortable by the topic too, and although they admitted to catcalling, most could not seem to remember what they had said or why. One shared, “I guess I catcall, yeah. I do it all the time at the grocery store. I’m just like ‘Heeeeeey!’ I never think that I will get anything out of it, so I guess I don’t really know why I do it. Usually it’s to older girls that I don’t know at all. I don’t really think about how it makes them feel- Probably pretty uncomfortable.” Another boy claimed that when he is catcalling, he usually only thinks of it as a joke, and is not being serious. However, he was unsure if the girls he catcalled knew that he didn’t mean it in a menacing way. Upon reflecting, he acknowledged that his words could have easily made them feel awkward or self-conscious. For many girls, an appropriate response in this situation is unclear, and can add to the uncomfortable feeling. As most experts will say, the best reaction depends on the situation. If a girl is alone and surrounded by a group of boys, she should find a way to exit that situation as quickly as possible. If it is in a public place where safety is guaranteed, it might be worth it to turn around and confront them, and tell them that they need to stop. If it is among friends and as a joke, but it still makes you uncomfortable, don’t be afraid to let them know the repercussions of their actions.
February is Black History Month, and in Oregon, the Black community has witnessed a rough history. When people think of racism against black people, they often think of the Deep South, which has a notoriously racist history due to slavery and Jim Crow. However, Oregon has an extraordinary racist history as well. Oregon outlawed slavery in its constitution when it was founded. However, it also banned Black people from living in Oregon. The abolition of slavery in Oregon was not about liberating slaves, it was about pre-abolition exclusion of Black people. Oregon’s racist founders knew that slavery would be federally outlawed in the future, so they decided to prematurely exclude Black people in the event that Oregon’s hypothetical slaves would be freed. However, when the federal government started building ships at Vanport in the 1930s, an island north of Portland on the Columbia River, Oregon allowed Black people to live in Oregon, but only in Vanport, to where they were relocating for jobs during the Great Migration. Vanport was very overcrowded, since it was the only place where Black people could live in Oregon, thus being a segregated and dense neighborhood. Vanport lacked a school district and other essential services. After World War II, Black people were permitted to live in other areas of North and Northeast Portland. At the same time, Oregon had many sundown towns that excluded Black people and would force them out through intimidation and violence. Oregon had one of the highest levels of KKK membership in the country at the time. Dallas, a town just west of Salem, was the headquarters for
the Oregon KKK. The Dallas High School mascot is still the Dragons, which is most likely referencing Dallas as the home of the Grand Dragon in Oregon. Some accounts said that the tree in front of the courthouse was the local hanging tree used for lynching. Furthermore, one would have thought that the fourteenth amendment would have been at least ratified in Oregon, with Oregon being a state that sided with the union during the civil war. However, Oregon did not ratify the fourteenth amendment until 1973. This has effected present-day race relations in Oregon. Oregon’s death penalty law is modeled after Texas’ law, which is one of the most arbitrary death penalty laws in the nation and includes extreme sentencing measures. At the same time, Oregon incarcerates youth at a higher rate than many Southern states. These practices disproportionately affect black people in Oregon. Portland-born rapper Amine even paid for a billboard ad in Portland that read “Yes, there are Black people in Portland.” Through the long history of intimidation and violence against Black people in Oregon, Portland is still the least diverse metropolitan area in the nation. But, if one wants to find ways to celebrate Black accomplishment in Oregon, they can attend the Vanport Jazz Festival at the Portland Meadows in August, which highlights the struggle of Black people in Oregon from the beginning of Vanport, or they can find ways to contribute to Black artists in Oregon, who bring light to issues facing their community, along with strengthening their communities through expression.
The Bruin is a forum for public debate. All pieces published are the opinions of the writer alone and do not represent the Bruin as a publication. The Bruin March 14, 2019 mhsbruin.com 7
Time for Big Decisions
Shields discusses a local proclamation which will affect students moving forward BY BRADY SHIELDS sports editor
On Jan. 10, 2019, the Yamhill County Board of Commissioners voted to approve the National School Choice Week Proclamation, which supports school vouchers and charter schools. Commissioner Kulla was the only one who voted against the proclamation, whereas Commissioners Olson and Starrett voted in favor. As a concerned student who would be affected by many of the proposals of self-described advocates of school choice, I sent Commissioner Kulla my thoughts regarding the proclamation. Kulla was concerned about the political nature of the proclamation and its backing. He expressed frustration with the County Commissioners for not taking the concerns of the educational community into account. I expressed frustration with the in-
stances of school voucher money being used for schools that do not provide sufficient education for students with disabilities, language difficulties, and other academic difficulties, along with their tendency to leave impoverished schools in worse conditions. Coupled with the inability of these schools to provide a sufficient education, there are instances of these schools bypassing Title IX regulations and discriminating against students. Taking these issues into account, it is despicable for the County Commissioners to betray the students of Yamhill County, who come from all different backgrounds. Not only do the schools have issues, but the movement is backed by Betsy Devos, who has extensive connections to many of the charter and private schools
that would benefit from school vouchers. It also has extensive backing from lobbyists and corporations, since they would benefit from school vouchers, through the money that they receive from schools that they manage or whose clients would receive an increase in earnings. Beyond the schools, the backing of the movement is in favor of corporations and lobbyists, which shows that the County Commissioners are betraying students for the benefit of corporations and lobbyists. With the County Commissioners’ backing of a movement that has political ties to lobbyists and corporations, along with the proposed policies outlined in the proclamation, the County Commissioners betrayed the students of Yamhill County.
LILLIE SPENCER
Down with the Dress Code
A new dress code graces the halls of Mac High and a student shares her thoughts SAMANTHA FLORES-RAMIREZ
BY JESS JONES features editor Dress code has become a hot topic for high schoolers. It is either too strict or too lenient, but rarely in between. After a meeting with a club that meets in Frau Walker’s room, the admin listened and heard the outcries for a new dress code. Delanie Crabtree, 12, and Lucca Hamina, 12, were involved in the making of this new dress code. Crabtree said, “In some respects, I was the one who started the push . . . in my innovation and open source class with Matt Brisbon we had to do a project, and I wanted to tackle the sexist nature of the dress code. Which led me to talk to assistant principal Mark Hinthorn and then to the Power Crew, where I was a voice in what I wanted to see changed.” Students can now wear tank tops, halter tops, pajama tops and midriff baring shirts. For the bottoms, anyone can wear anything, as long as they don’t “Expose more than the waistband of underwear…” For example students have the ability to wear shorts, skirts, ripped jeans, regular jeans, sweat pants, leggings, yoga pants, etc. But you also can’t expose your buttocks. So that means that there’s no booty shorts, rips on your jeans that are too high up, and no pants that are too low. What isn’t allowed is when something “References drugs, alcohol, tobacco or any other illegal items… Intimidates others or creates a hostile environment… Depicts violent images or pornography… Promotes gang affiliation... does not cover your front and side… Is see-through on private parts… Tube top, sports bras, or swimsuits 8
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(as a stand-alone top or bottom)...” Tube tops aren’t allowed because if someone pulled down that, because normally they don’t wear anything underneath tube tops, it wouldn’t be a very good day for that person. Bathing suits aren’t really suited for the classroom, they are meant for swimming and not for an outfit piece. When it comes to shirts that reference drugs or alcohol, it’s pretty self-explanatory. As for accessories, students are now allowed to wear hats in school. They just have to follow the guideline of not referencing drugs, alcohol, tobacco or any other illegal items, and nothing that creates a hostile environment; basically the common rules. Students are still not allowed to wear their hoods, as well as no helmets, bandanas, sunglasses and blanket wraps. These rules are supposed to keep us safe during school. Once the students leave the building they can put these items on. Hamina said, “We had discussions with staff and
students about what we would like to change, and how that would impact stuff. For me, it was mostly trying to get hats and attempt to make the code less biased against women.” In truth, if you really look at it, it was a bit biased/ negative towards women. “No bear zone.” Oh no! Girls were showing their shoulders. I mean, what is so bad about girls showing their shoulders? Guys were going around and not wearing shirts at times. But you know, guys weren’t distracting people at all! So it was totally fine! NOT. MHS has had the same dress code for a long time, and are just now getting to a point where the staff is realizing that it needs to be changed to keep up with the modern times, and the fact that people are noticing how biased it is. On the plus side: YAY! We get to wear our hats. Beanies, baseball hats, dad hats, fedora’s (m’lady), top hats, newsboys caps (if you want to fight to lower the price of the pape’s), any kinds of hats. You can wear tank tops, halter tops, pajamas, midriff baring shirts, all without being dress coded. Negative side: still no bandanas even without paisley, no hoods, no blanket wraps, no tube tops, no bathing suits (sorry swimmers). So now that our sexist dress code has been changed, hopefully we can all sleep easily now. And, if you happen to sleep a little too easy and you oversleep, no problem! Grab your backpack, grab a banana, and run out the door and enjoy a little comfort at school in your pj’s.
Looking Forward to 2020
THE
Managing Editor Tommy Douglass looks at candidates for the presidency in 2020 for the Democrats
BY TOMMY DOUGLASS managing editor
BRUINREPORT Each issue the The Bruin Editorial Board meets to discuss the topics of the school and give their opinion. The board is chaired by editor-in-chief Emma Siepmann.
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JUNIORS TAKE IT EASY This years juniors were able to enjoy a more luxurious SAT. The test was planned during the school day, an opportunity which has not been offered to students in the past. The exam was also partially subsidized, making it more accessible for students who might otherwise not take the test.
WINTER WEATHER PERSISTS
Even though there is still almost a year to go before the democratic primary season kicks off for the 2020 election, 12 credible democrats have already announced their candidacy: Rep. John Delaney, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Secretary Julian Castro, Sen. Cory Booker, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Sen. Kamala Harris, Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, author Marianne Williamson and businessman Andrew Yang. Many more candidates are expected to declare their candidacy shortly including: vice president Joe Biden, and potentially Rep. Beto O’Rourke. The fact that these candidates haven’t announced their candidacy yet leaves the democratic field in a state of flux without a clear frontrunner (though Sanders is working hard to assert himself as the favorite). This gives the population a unique opportunity to analyze the policies and potential of candidates who might have otherwise been swept under the rug by a name-recognition candidate announcing early on. I will take this opportunity, to discuss the two presently announced democrats (aside from Bernie) whom I think have the most potential/most intriguing case for a 2020 run. First up: Kamala Harris. I think if the primaries were today, Harris would give Bernie a run for his money. Harris has a unique and comprehensive background including serving as Attorney General of California, and US Senator from CA. Harris is a charismatic and likeable candidate (a huge difference from both Trump and Clinton in 2016), with good fashion sense, creative merchandise, a powerful fundraising base and a knack for storytelling/public speaking. Additionally Harris has a strong and progressive voting record in the senate, is known for her comprehensive questioning/vetting of cabi-
net level officials, and has helped spearhead and develop clear policies on bold positions like progressive tax plans, the legalization of marijuana, and medicare for all. However, Harris will undoubtedly be hindered by her extensive pushes for longer prison sentences as attorney general that helped contribute to the crowding of prisons, her support of civil forfeiture as AG and potentially, her lack of experience as she is barely into her first term in the senate. Secondly, an interesting and relatively unknown candidate (except to political diehards), Julian Castro provides a compelling 2020 case. Julian Castro is the former mayor of San Antonio, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for the Obama administration, and a rumored finalist for Hillary Clinton’s Vice Presidential pick in 2016. Despite being out of elected office since 2017, Castro has been increasingly active in his home state of Texas countering Trump’s border wall proposal and calling for a unification of the Latinx population. It’s incredibly impressive that, at just 44 years old, Castro has long been considered a rising star in the Democratic Party, and has become increasingly more liberal as he gears up for 2020 (he was once fairly moderate). Unfortunately for Castro, his present polling numbers are not looking pretty, he is attacked for having very little elected experience, considered rusty after spending a few years out of politics, and some may be turned off by his ties to the 2016 Clinton campaign. Ultimately, it will be a competitive year for democrats. It’s barely March and we already have 12 credible candidates. This number is expected to grow exponentially over the coming months, and increased diversity/competition is always a good thing for voters.
Snow fall continues in McMinnville, ensuing days spent playing in the snow, rather than studying in the classroom. Snowflakes and hot chocolate refresh students and provide a new ersective for the day. However, these snowdays are slighty tainted by the reality that too many winter days at home, mean unwanted summer days at school.
VICKNAIR STEPS DOWN Principal Tony Vicknair will be retiring at the end of this school year, making way for a new principal to take over. After three years of his leadership at MHS, we are sad to see Vicknair leave, but still hopeful and excited for our new principal next year.
VAPING EPIDEMIC CONTINUES Starting recently, there has been an increase in usage of vape pens and e-cigarettes such as juuls within McMinnville High School. While they seem healthier than cigarettes, the nicotine content in popular vapes is similar to traditional smokes, making vaping a dangerous habit to pick up, especially for developing minds.
SPORTS SUSPENSIONS DISAPPOINT
F
In recent weeks, several sports suspensions have been doled out to students for disobeying the McMinnville High School code of conduct. A suspension from sports is a common consequence in these situations, typically for 21 days. Sports teams are disappointed as they miss players, but administration is working hard to give all students a safe place to learn.
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unity week
DO YOU HAVE A STORY TO SHARE? CONTACT FEATURES EDITOR MOLLY BEYER
SAM
10
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WHAT WE DID A time of the school year where people put aside any difference they have and talk about any experiences that had an impact on their
Goodbye Unity Week Hello Unity Month
life.
JESS JONES ANNA DOWNS
COFFEE HOUSE JESS JONES
Students had the oportunity to listen to the student band, Ponderosa and poetry readings in the Den.
SAM BEYER
Unity Week just started three years ago, which has been changed from Diversity week. This year, they change it yet again to Unity Month. Unity Month now includes four different weeks: Diversity Week, Community Week, Unity Week and Mental Health Week.
BUBBLE FRIDAYS: Evey Friday staff greeted students at the Main Entrance with bubbles and high-fives.
A time of the school year where people put aside any difference they have and talk about any experiences that had an impact on their life. Finigan Reuter, 11, said, “We wanted to give students more of a buildup and a more gradual re-entry to a normal school after voices. We felt that a week was too short to cover all of the topics we wanted to.” A huge thank you to ASB for putting on this week, and huge thank you to everyone who spoke at Voices. We heard your stories, we love you and we care about you.
FOOD TRUCKS: Students were able to purchase food from two different food trucks on campus for a day.
So Why The Change?
ASB advisor Susanne Sayles said, “We got a lot of feedback from the students saying that it didn’t feel like Unity week until the voices panel day. Then it was a strange thing: voices happened on Thursday, we come back to school Friday feeling a little emotionally heavy, and then the next week, everything was back to normal. We wanted to expand the efforts and make so the students feel like they have a safe space to actually be a part of Unity Week.”
Voices Panel ANNA DOWNS
BEYER
TOGETHER
JESS JONES
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features 4.0? No Problem!
Some of the seniors tried, and excelled, in their four years at MHS. MOLLY BEYER
BY ZANE FODGE writer
Every year a new crop of Gavrielle Walters is determined high school kids another senior who has come into our system, many of earned valedictorian. She whom have their eyes set on a states, “Sometimes I’m not goal (and a lofty one at that): sure if it was worth it just for valedictorian status. There are the title of valedictorian.” only two criteria that need to Walters notes that her be met in order to obtain this day-to-day schedule was status (4.0 unweighted GPA and sometimes lacking a little an Honors Diploma), yet it’s spice as she would “wake seldom true that more than two up, go to school, go to tennis percent of each graduating class [Walters will be a 4 year 3 are able to make it a reality. sport athlete, as well], then This year, MHS is proud to go home to do my work.” It announce that out of the 533 was a grind, and although students in the class of 2019, an she was a little hesitant astounding 16 of them will be when asked if she would do receiving valedictorian honors it again, she was definitive Gavrielle Walters, Luis Cortes, and Tristan Ferry talk about how they managed to maintain a 4.0 this spring at graduation. This when she said, “I’m proud of GPA throughout their high school careers. They join 16 other 4.0 students at MHS this year. is a group of kids that have what I did.” Walters has taken persevered through the latest of eight AP classes and is still in nights, occasionally have found themselves replacing fun social events with rigid the midst of her college search. homework sessions, and have without a doubt grinded extremely hard to make Luis Cortes paved his path to the honor as well. As a leadership student, a this dream a reality. blossoming socialite, and a family man, he found that his responsibilities with Tristan Ferry is one such of these kids. When asked if the effort was all worth school were sometimes difficult to manage. He said, “Sometimes I would have it, he replied, “Absolutely. When I entered high school, I wasn’t thinking, ‘I’m going to take care of my mom when, say, I needed to be taking care of my homework.” to get all As. I’m going to be a valedictorian.’ All I wanted was to learn everything Even with that being the case, Cortes doesn’t feel like he ever had to sacrifice too I could, and the grades followed.” Ferry has taken eight AP classes, and he’s found much academically. He still found time to hang out with friends on a frequent that his prioritization skills have really helped him manage the load. “Managing basis and even carved out some of his schedule to watch a little Dragon Ball Z. priorities has been tough sometimes, but I generally found that family came first, When asked if the work for the Big V was all worth it, Cortes said he “didn’t really followed by school, followed by everything else.” However, he also noted that he stress about it like some other people.” Then, “I’ve always just wanted to be the had “pulled a few all-nighters” throughout his high school career. Ferry hopes to best I can be, so this is great, but the title honestly doesn’t mean much to me.” attend Yale or Boston University next fall and is currently awaiting his admission decisions.
CLASS OF 2019 4.0 STUDENTS McKenna Carlson Peter Christianson Emily Cinnamon Luis Cortes Delanie Crabtree 12
The Bruin March 14, 2019 mhsbruin.com
Tanner Farley Tristan Ferry Elsa Friman Giselle Garcia Keelie Grasley
Johanna Haschka Luke Larson Katie Martinez Harper Maselli Noah Miller
Jordan Montanio Alexis Pacheco Alejandro PerezMorales Oscar Rodrigo-Perez
Micah Porter Jesse Rodriguez Emma Siepmann Marin Sterling Carly Szedlak
Gavrielle Walters Melea Wilder
Debating to the Top BY CAROLINA ELIAS JUAREZ writer
New Logo Unveiled
ANNA DOWNS
BY ZANE FODGE writer
Speech and debate students prepare for the next debate in Kerrie Savage’s room.
With the beginning of the second semester starting, and with multiple great things coming to an end, Speech and Debate is one of the many the many clubs to have gone far already this year. From being able to have up to 17 tournaments a year, to winning tournaments all around Oregon, to future champion tournaments being attended in Kentucky, it’s safe to say that the Speech and Debate team is well off. Beginning with the biggest tournament attended so far at Arizona State University, the team did incredible, as stated by Hannah Smith, “We had team members make it up to the third day of the tournament in three events – a huge accomplishment.” ASU is said to be one of the biggest national tournaments for their event. “I think one of our biggest successes was getting to double octo finals at ASU,” said Kacey Lee. “As a whole, everyone did really really well at ASU,” Lee emphasizes. Smith also mentions another big win of theirs, “We also performed really well at the Lewis and Clark tournament when our team won second overall in debate and third overall, I believe.” To prepare for tournaments, with debate, students who make up the team have to research a specific topic for weeks. Students then have to prepare two separate cases for the resolution. Judges use ballots to write feedback on to judge students with their topics and writings. It’s also expected from the students to write at least two cases for each topic to accommodate
different judges. “It takes a lot of dedication which is something not a lot of people realize, and trying to balance homework and speech work can be really tough sometimes,” states Bella Montalvo. The commitment and hard work is a necessity if you want to win. It’s also difficult to manage and balance your time. “Just being able to find time to prep and keeping up with school work when I miss school for tournaments.” Lee explains the difficulty around speech and debate. Excitement surrounds the team and their wins, taking them further than before. The biggest tournament being attended yet in Lexington, Kentucky. “It’s a national circuit tournament that you have to qualify to go by getting bids. A bid is something we earn, and they are only at certain tournaments. So, in speech, at least, you have to place in the top three of your event to earn half a bid.” Montalvo explains what it takes to go to Kentucky for the incredible experience. It’s also mentioned that March is an important time of the season so far. Lee gives insight on what important events are coming up, “March is really important because we have districts/state and also national qualifiers, which are later this month.” While joining the team might be scary at first, the team is sure to make you feel welcome and will support you throughout the process. “Speech and debate can seem super overwhelming at first,” said Lee, “but I strongly encourage sticking to it. It’s fun and the people you meet and grow closer to are absolutely amazing.”
Coming back to school after the brief transitional period between first and second semester, you may have noticed something slightly different about the high school. Putting your finger on what exactly it is can be a challenge, but if you pay extra attention to the grizzly logo, you will notice it has been slightly modified. This modification comes shortly after Missouri State University reached out with a legal request that we change ours, as it appeared to resemble theirs too closely and was supposedly confusing for students and staff at the university. The two logos do have their subtle differences, but there’s no doubt that they are extremely similar. Our version has been in circulation for 1415 years according to MHS athletic director Ryan McIrvin, while MSU’s has been around for just over 21 years. Since its inception, the logo has gradually started to appear more frequently in MHS handbooks, athletic programs, and most notably, on the school website. However, what has come to be known as one of the school’s most prominent features of identity, especially in sports, did not start out with any pertinence to school athletics. McIrvin said,, “the logo was originally designed for the Bruin and over time became the [main] logo for the high school.” McMinnville School District recently commissioned a local graphic designer to take the old logo under the knife and tweak it in a couple places, making sure to avoid any risk of potential copyright violations. Although some of the previous grizzly logos are still in circulation, they are not considered to be legal representations of our school and McIrvin has stated that they will continued to “be phased out over time.”
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sports Portland Diamond Project Advances
Grizzly Wrap Up
Look back at the successful seasons of various winter sports and get a preview of what’s to come this spring
WIKIPEDIA
SAM HELLER
Portland is closer to getting a professional baseball team
Colton Crawford winds up on the mound for the Grizzles. Por tland’s original baseball field, PGE Park.
BY HAYDEN ABELN writer BY HAYDEN ABELN writer The dreams of Portland finally having a professional baseball team are slowly coming true. In late November, the Portland Diamond project announced that they agreed in principle with the Port of Portland to build and evolve the terminal 2 land. The venue is right along the river and couldn’t be a better spot for a baseball stadium. “‘Building an iconic, state-of-the-art ballpark along the Willamette River will catalyze economic development and capture great views of both the urban scale of the city and regional character of the Pacific Northwest,’” president of the Portland Diamond Project Craig Cheek said. In November the first renders of the stadium of revealed. The looks of LA live with restaurants and shops as you approach the stadium, and a state of the art space once you enter, is a Portland baseball fan’s dream. The stadium contains a retractable glass roof, a huge concourse, and a very nice seating area in the outfield. “Now... this is a cool Birthday Present!” Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson tweeted when the stadium pictures were revealed. The project has a strong group of investors behind it. Russell Wilson, his wife Ciara, Marcus Harvey, alongside 9 other companies or business’ are supporting the project. Cheek is very happy with the supporters so far. “These individuals’ early involvement and belief in PDP stem from personal passion for both the game of baseball and their community,” Cheek said in an interview with Forbes. The earliest the stadium could open is probably 2022, because they haven’t started construction, they and don’t have an official team yet. However they are most likely receiving the Tampa Bay Rays. 14
The Bruin March 14, 2019 mhsbruin.com
It’s that time of the year again, where the winter sports have ended, and the spring sports have begun. We are proud of how our teams did in the winter, and cannot wait to see how they do in the spring. The boys’ basketball team finished with a record 12-13, and the girls finished 15-9. The swim teams capped of their season with district titles for both boys and girls. Out on the mats, the Grizzlies are sending Tony Johnson, Tyler Olsen, Andre Mushombe, Toby Stumpf, Orion Craigmyle and Jake Barnes all to state. This spring the track teams are more excited than ever for the season to start. Sophomore Jadie Elkins said, ‘I’m feeling very excited and confident going in to this new league. Last year I was most successful in the 100 and 4x4 so I’m looking forward to working hard and hopefully getting better at mainly those two events as the season progresses.” On the tennis court, the all-around great player Josh Flores, is hoping to end his senior year with a lot of memories. He said, “I want it to end (his senior season) not necessarily with a lot of wins, although that would be great, but with lots of great memories with the team. Last year I remember the fun times more than the wins I got.” He also included that he
is “really excited for the start and get going, and get the team ready to face the new league.” For the girls, head coach Angelica Boehme kept it simple and said she “wants to win league.” To win the League title, she believes she has “a tough group of senior girls,” who will step up for the win. This golf season is going to be a bit different, with additions of two new coaches. Head Coach Jeremy Vernon said the new coaching change will be “positive just because we will all kind of be under the same umbrella right now, so we will all kind of be doing the same thing, same expectations, where we were kind of separate identities before then.” This golf season looks to be a great one for the Grizzlies. The baseball team looks like they are going have a very fun season this year. Playing three of their first four games at home, and then a trip to Arizona sounds like a great time. They have great match ups in the later half of the season against West Linn and Jesuit. The baseball team has a great group of seniors this year to hopefully bring home a league title.
THOMAS SAGERS
Doucette Becomes Softball Coach
March Madness Preview Tommy Douglass gives us his predictions for March Madness
After a rough start for the softtball team, they have a new coach
BY TOMMY DOUGLASS managing editor BY TOMMY DOUGLASS managing editor
potential, but we were never able to rally together due to how Larry would play mind games with us and put us against each other.” Bomberger, who did call Nichols “a fine coach,” echoed Hudson’s sentiment saying, “[Nichols] just didn’t work to create a good team environment [or] dynamic…” Bates too, agreed with the other girls and said, “Larry was difficult. I have known him most of my softball career, and playing under him wasn’t exactly the best experience. He is an amazing person, but his coaching style wasn’t my forte. He knew what he was talking about, but was slightly outdated.” Despite any reservations on Nichols, the general consensus on Doucette was extremely positive. McIrvin realized quickly that she would be a good fit, he said, “Coach Doucette was someone that I identified early as a potential candidate to be our new head coach. She has experience with coaching high level players at a high level program (Linfield College) and was an outstanding player herself. Through our conversations, I am confident that she has the knowledge and skill to be a successful head coach.” Hudson said, “Almost all the girls are happy about the new coach and are super optimistic. Of course, there’s going to be a few girls upset in every situation, but I’d say the majority of the returners from varsity last year are very pleased with the new coach, and we have gotten closer already as a team.” Bates added, “I’ve known [Doucette] for quite a while, so to say I was excited was an understatement.” Bomberger said, “Also, her record as a player is pretty impressive.” Throughout the turmoil the softball team was engulfed in over the past few months, it is quite remarkable how positive and focused they have remained. The team has relied on each other for strength, support and motivation. Now, Bates said, “Nothing is guaranteed, but with the staff we have it looks promising.” Hudson added, “I hope that we, as a team, get closer than we already are.” With Doucette at the helm, the Grizzlies are confident that they can make some noise this spring. As Bomberger said, “I think a collective goal of ours is to make it as far as possible into [the] playoffs. We have a lot of talent this year and I hope we can all come together and peak at the right time.” Larry Nichols didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.
WIKIPEDIA
While most spring sports at MHS were gearing up for the competition season, the softball team found themselves in a state of flux as they searched for a new coach. Larry Nichols, an “old-fashioned coach” as described by third baseman, junior Megan Bomberger, had worn out his welcome with the softball program, and there were rumors circling for the latter part of 2018 and into 2019 about his impending departure. In early 2019, the rumors came true and Nichols quietly departed. Athletic Director Ryan McIrvin said this became apparent in, “late January [and] early February.” McIrvin added, “coach Nichols made the decision to resign for various personal reasons.” This left the softball program with less than a month to go before the season and no coach. For catcher Kassidee Bates, the mess regarding the coaching situation was far from the ideal way to start her junior season. Bates said, “We were left in the dark for months about what was happening [with the program]. Rumors about the coach quitting spread rapidly, but we had no official answers. The change to the new coach happened very fast. With tryouts starting [on Monday, Feb. 26], having a new coach introduced [Thursday, Feb. 21] makes things seem very rushed.” With no coach the softball team was unable to hold its typical winter workouts to bring in the season. Bomberger said, “We really tried to get group workouts together but it didn’t really work out, so we mostly practiced on our own.” With many of the girls playing club softball and working out on their own, Bates was quick to add, “We aren’t going to be out of shape or anything, just getting together as a team might take some time.” Everything eventually fell into place on Thursday, Feb. 21-- just three days before tryouts -- when the new softball coach, Staci Doucette, was formally introduced to the program. Doucette, a former Linfield softball champion and four-time All American, was plucked to succeed Nichols. Doucette had already served as an assistant coach for the Linfield program, and had privately coached many softball athletes including senior pitcher Payton Hudson. Hudson was ecstatic regarding the change and was very blunt in her criticism of Nichols saying, “A lot of people were upset with Larry because of how he treated us, some girls more specifically. He was always negative and hard on us, to the point where some girls lost their love for the game. We all knew we had
Jaiden Stoller practices batting at softball
The official NCAA Final Four Logo for 2019.
It may be too early for “bracketology,” but it’s never too early to analyze the college basketball competition so that your picks will be all the stronger come Selection Sunday. Here, I will give my predictions on who to look out for come March Madness. FINAL FOUR PREDICTIONS: 1.Duke 2.Gonzaga 3.Tennessee 4.Michigan SLEEPER TEAMS: 1.Wisconsin 2.Murray State 3.Purdue 4.Butler MOST LIKELY TO CHOKE: 1.Virginia 2.Nevada 3.Kansas 4.LSU PLAYERS TO WATCH: 1.Zion Williamson (Forward, Duke) 2.Ja Morant (Guard, Murray State) 3.Keldon Johnson (Guard/Forward, Kentucky) 4.Bruno Fernando (Center, Maryland) 5.Carsen Edwards (Guard, Purdue)
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out & about
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ZANE FODGE AND LUIS CORTES
Burrito Boys: Tacos El Gordo Edition Fodge and Cortes take ASB Vice President on an adventure in finding the best burrito in Mac BY ZANE FODGE writer & LUIS CORTES writer Welcome to another edition of restaurant reviews with the boys! What was once known as “Sub Guys,” and then “Burger Boys,” is now taking on a different shape: Burrito Boys. There’s too much good food in town to review, and to limit ourselves to just one category of the local fare would be foolish! For our first Burrito Boys stop, we hit up an MHS fan favorite: Taco El Gordo. The humble restaurant is nestled into a small, open-air nook under the wing of Tequila Grill and is known to hand out some of the best burritos in the area. Additionally, we grabbed our close friend and collaborator, ASB vice president Eli Wiles, to join us on this tasteful adventure.
Taste: C-
Luis (Pastor Burrito): For a pastor burrito, this one was quite disappointing. Instead of dripping with the juices of the meat, I experienced a dry and salty pastor. Upon further inspection, I noticed that there was black chunks in my burrito that turned out to be burnt pieces of meat. All of this suggested that the meat was at least a few days old which was upsetting. I frequent this place often and this seems to happen to about one out of every five burritos. Apart from this, it was a pretty solid burrito. Nothing too special. Eli (Pastor Burrito): My first impression of the burrito was awe inspiring; but, the initial flavorful bite was followed by disappointment. The meat lacked a flavorful punch and was masked by an absurd amount of dairy products. Don’t get me wrong, I like cheese and sour cream, but it was so overwhelming that it started to take away from the actual integrity of the meal. Meat and cheese were not the only inhabitants of this dish, it was also jam packed with rice and beans that helped add to the experience. Zane (Asada Burrito): My first bite into the bundle was extremely promising. The tortilla was the perfect texture and warmth, and it had the most excellent amount of give for my biting teeth. What I later found as I progressed through the layers of the burrito, though, was that my first impression was not to be perpetuated. It was a good burrito, don’t get me wrong, but to call it anything more or anything less would be to give it a false label. From the eyes (tongue?) of a food critic, the meat was decent, the cheese was a little much at times, and the effectiveness of the other burrito fillings was debatable. But from the eyes of a hungry high school kid with a couple loose George Washingtons in his pocket, I couldn’t ask for much more. 16
The Bruin March 14, 2019 mhsbruin.com
Price: B
During lunch hours, El Gordo offers a $5 burrito deal to anyone with a student ID. At that price, it is irresistible to not try and shell out the money for it. This deal has cemented itself as one of the greats, arguably competing with the likes of the 4 for $4 from Wendy’s, $5 Fill Up from KFC, and the Happy Meal. For what you get, we’d consider the price appropriate. It seems that when you buy a $5 burrito it tends to be smaller and have less meat. But overall, students won’t find a burrito as cheap as this one anywhere else in Mac.
Service: B+
The service at El Gordo is exactly what it should be. You show up, order food, and have a burrito in your hand within minutes. However, delivery times may lag a little if you don’t get there before the lunch hour wave. The line at El Gordo is known to stretch at times, but never to an extreme. The workers are patient, kind, and seem to be having a good time, which is always a plus for the customer. At the end of the day, we had no complaints and were perfectly content with the service we had received.
Atmosphere: B
Immediately after getting out of our cars, we were greeted with Mexican music. This was pleasing as it made the place feel authentic from the start. I feared that Eli would start dancing, but surprisingly he only busted out a few moves (word to Thotiana). The establishment is an open air one which subsequently brought a lot of discomfort during a chilly day. They tried to alleviate this by having heaters but they merely seemed to work unless you are right under them. Make sure to wear layers on cold days.
Overall: C+
When it’s all said and done, El Gordo clocks in with a decent C+ letter grade. It’s definitely a nice option to have in town with the close proximity to campus and the friendly lunchtime prices, but we get the sense that it could be much better quality and taste wise. Thus, the quest for the perfect Mac burrito spot continues… ***Eli’s Note: I came on this journey looking for the best burrito in Mac, and I would not qualify El Gordo as even close. However, it was a bargain for a tasty burrito that I would eat again if I was short on time and funds.
Mac Daddy Donuts With the growth and development of downtown McMinnville, there has been a definite increase in the number of pop up restaurants and stores. However, perhaps none have gained as much excited tension as the announcement of the opening of Mac Daddy Donuts, a local handcrafted donut shop. With many of McMinnville’s downtown establishments being geared toward a higher end, affluent wine crowd, it is exciting to hear news of a desert shop for all ages. To stimulate the McMinnville crowd, and to gain a dedicated following, Mac Daddy Donuts has set up shop in a food truck in the Staples parking lot, until the grand opening of their storefront. What sets Mac Daddy apart
WIKIPEDIA
BY MICAH POR TER what’s bruin editor
from the competition is their ability to tailor the desert to the consumer’s requests. Not only can the customer choose from a selection of donuts, there is a wide variety of glazes, toppings and drizzles to pick from, offering a new sensation for the taste buds each visit. With such elite desert options, one might expect to find high prices accompanied, which is not the case. Mac Daddy offers exceptional deals for an increased number of items purchased. It costs $4 for 2 donuts, $5 for 3, $9 for 6, and $15 for 12. With such outstanding merchandise and pricing, one can only wonder if Mac Daddy will rise up to the level of Voodoo.
Upcoming Disney Movies BY SAMANTHA FLORES-RAMIREZ writer For all of you Disney fans out there, you can now look forward to watching some of the greatest original stories come back to life. A variety of new movies have recently been announced and people are going crazy to watch them. Some are being put on hold but for those already officially announced, get ready to spend a few bucks to enjoy a time of magic. These are the next upcoming films you may want to watch…
The Lion King (July 19, 2019)
Director: Tim Burton Starring: Colin Farrell, Eva Green
Director: Charlie Bean Starring: Justin Theroux, Tessa Thompson
Mulan (March 27, 2020)
Director: Niki Caro Starring: Liu Yifei, Donnie Yen, Jet Li
Snow White (TBA) Aladdin (May 24, 2019) Director: Guy Ritchie Starring: Mena Massoud, Will Smith, Naomi Scott
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Dumbo (March 29, 2019)
Director: Jon Favreau Starring: Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, Chiwetel Ejiofor
Lady and the Tramp (Fall 2019)
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fashion
The Adapt BB
Nike releases a improved pair of self lacing basketball BY HAYDEN ABELN writer
The Adapt BB is Nike’s most advanced model to ever be released. Nike released a self-lacing shoe called the HyperAdapt 1.0, in December of 2016 at steep price of $720 a pair. The Adapt BB is releasing at a fairer price of $350.The technology in the shoe is something special that sneake heads are going crazy over.
“When a player steps into the NikeAdapt BB, a custom motor and gear train senses the tension needed by the foot and adjusts accordingly to keep the foot snug,” Nike said in a news article. Players can adjust the fitting of the shoe in the HyperAdapt app,or by hand. The shoes can be charged wirelessly, and can still be unlaced if they end up dying while you are wearing them. NBA players such as Jayson Tatum, Luka Doncic, and Duke University’s basketball team have worn the shoe in game. “Being
one of the first athletes to wear the shoe and being picked as a representative of the future of Nike basketball means a lot. That the app allows the ability to put the shoe on and touch the button, change the colors, see the percentage on the battery...it’s just cool,” Tatum said in a press release. The shoe has performed well on court, and so far has not caused any major problems for any of the players.
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In January, Nike unveiled a self-lacing basketball shoe set tho be released to the general public Feb 17. This may seem like something out of a movie, but Nike somehow made it happen.
Sitting Clown Trading Co.
A one-stop-shop for the coolest styles at the cheapest prices BY ISABELLE HOOVER news editor
Day by day, the world of online shopping expands and becomes more prevalent in our society. Along with that, we’ve also seen an increase in online retailers. Recently, younger people have been jumping on the trend as well. An Instagram page started by Mac High alumni Ben Stuart and Paige Benner, called @sittingclowntradingco,
has been growing in popularity. They now pull over 200 followers while only following 15 accounts (including themselves). Their biography states that by buying their clothes you can, “Obtain ‘The Cool’ today with Sitting Clown’s fine procured goods; clothing, accessories, media and more. All prices negotiable and all sales final. On their page they have clothes ranging in styles and sizes, with a mix of clothes for men and women. In order to place a bid on their clothing, you simply have to send them a direct message on Instagram regarding the piece you are interested in. Another option is downloading a free app called Depop, which revolves around the selling and purchasing of new or used clothes. Once you have this app, you can follow their account and buy all the clothes you are interested in through PayPal. The benefit of buying clothes this way rather than simply buying them new is the pricing. Name brand clothing t hat is much more expensive at the store can be purchased lightly used for a considerably cheaper price. For example, Sitting Clown has items selling for as little as 10 dollars. Next time you feel like changing up your wardrobe but don’t want to leave the comfort of your own home, it might be worth it to take a look at accounts or apps.
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The Bruin March 14, 2019 mhsbruin.com
@SITTINGCLOWNTRADINGCO
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Reasons to Eat Cake “Got an A in AP Gov” - Matias Borja, 11
Conspiracy Theories Curious incidences and murmurings straight from the brain of What’s Bruin editor, Micah Porter Here At MHS: The Thing Below
Geography Anyone? Forget the presence of 30-some million Finnish and Australian residents. The internet knows the genuine truth: Those people are actors and robots, and their countries don’t even exist. Finland was invented by Japan and Russia after the Cold War to acquire extra fishing rights for sushi-loving Japan. And as for Australia? The UK really just offed those convicts rather than ship them halfway around the world.
Kris Renshaw: four for four with ranch and a large soda Luis Cortes: Taco Bell $5 box with extra hot sauce Kalysta Martino: Subway tuna sandwich with a side of chips Isabelle Hoover: Dutch bros hot tea and a lemon muffin top Hayden Ablen: A big asada burrito from Tacos El Gordo Tommy Douglass: Pesto turkey from Sandy’s
For years, teachers have sparked students’ interest with the promise of an underground pool. Although evidence of such a monument has not surfaced in recent years, students have taken it upon themselves to begin searching for the el dorado of school treasures.
“The weekend is upon me” -Elysse Patterson, 11
“Took a selfie with Ms. Pope” -Quincey Reurter, 9
“Senior Year BABBYYY” - Wyatt Topping, 12
Political Concerns
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Go to Fast Food
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With the introduction of social app sensation, Pokemon Go, many users were skeptical about the validity of the app that simply can’t be put down. Only recently, predictions have surfaced stating that Pokemon Go was created and advertised by North Korean Government, in an attempt to leak secrets about the United States. Although users of the game are unaware of their illicit actions, the North Korean government is using the pictures taken by the users to gain access to top-secret locations.
“Year is almost over” - Sophia Ramirez. 12
Economy Recent evidence leads us to believe that Mattress Firm stores are a front for a multimillion dollar money laundering scheme. With a new store popping up everywhere, and at least 15 in McMinnville alone, we can only believe the worst about the comfy company. Mattress Firm attempts to hide their actions through successful advertising and marketing, but then again, the average person only buys a bed every 10 years . . . at least.
Delaney Keizer, 11
Hipster Spotting
Gisselle Rubio, 12
The Bruin March 14, 2019 mhsbruin.com 19
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